Tag Archives: Boating

By Lt. Bill Hempel United States Power Squadrons Of all the boat maintenance chores, the prep work of sanding and painting bugs me the most. It always seems that the chips and dust stick better to my skin than they originally did to my hull. We also may be creating an environmental mess. Most marine paints are made with toxic chemicals designed to leach out and prevent bottom growth on the hull. When concentrated amounts of these materials are ground and chipped off the hull, there is the potential for environmental harm. In addition to the paint, solvents, thinners and ... Read More »

By Lt. Bill Hempel United States Power Squadrons® Even though boaters are normally out on the open water, carbon monoxide still poses a significant threat. This odorless and colorless gas is extremely poisonous and was almost fatal on a recent boating trip. We had 12 boats cruising lazily down the Florida Intracoastal. Suddenly, the boat in front of us started to weave side to side. Shortly after, it swerved hard to starboard and headed toward the shoals. The captain didn’t answer my hail, and when I pulled alongside, we found him lying on the deck with his wife trying to ... Read More »

Submitted Saturday night January 19, 2013 was the most prestigious event of the year at the Marco Island Yacht Club. The Commodore’s Ball and Change of Watch is a formal event the entire Club anticipates each year. The Commodore has responsibility for the cruising and racing fleets of yachts, regattas, boating programs, matters relating to the Florida Council of Yacht Clubs and all social activities. The 2012 outgoing Commodore Stuart Curtis performed the ceremony, swearing in Commodore Jim Marr for 2013. Jim swore to uphold the Mission Statement; “To provide an outstanding boating, social, and dining environment that is friendly, ... Read More »

by Fran Diebler I will be following s/v Moonbeam and her crew as they sail from Marco Island and through the Pacific Ocean to New Zealand completing a Pacific Circuit. Moonbeam is a 52’ Island Packet Cutter. There will be updates from time to time as they push forward to achieve their objective which is from Marco Island to New Zealand via the Panama Canal, visiting many South Pacific Islands along the way. A return trip to Marco by completing the circumnavigation is expected in the Spring of 2014. Ken Bardon, owner and skipper of the s/v Moonbeam, is a ... Read More »

MUSIC NOTES BY GATOR NATE Nate Augustus rubeejaw@aol.com Collier-Seminole State Park is a nice quiet spot, centrally located from Marco, Naples and Everglades City and a mere hop, skip and a jump away from any of them. The park is a wonderful place to enjoy the natural beauty of our area. The park offers visitors a number of year round activities, including camping, canoeing, hiking, fishing, boating, bicycling and exploring the cypress swamps. The salt marshes, mangrove river estuaries and pine flat woods of Collier Seminole hold many different native species. Among them, American alligators, raccoons, osprey, white ibis, wood storks, bald ... Read More »

FOLLOW THE FISH Capt. Pete Rapps Pete@CaptainRapps.com Looking for something different to do with your Florida Spiny Lobster tails this season? Yeah, it’s hard to beat grilled tails drenched in seasoned butter, but you are going to need an appetizer to wash down those cool bevies while the tails are cooking right? Let me show you a quick and easy way to make a cool and fresh appetizer that will knock your guest’s sombreros off. First off, get your tails split and seasoned up. Take a large knife and split the tops of the tails and crack them wide open. Now ... Read More »

FOLLOW THE FISH Capt. Pete Rapps Pete@CaptainRapps.com Our typical weather patterns are here as December rolls into January, and we are seeing some of our first 40 degree mornings here in the 10,000 Islands. It is certainly our coolest period of the year, however the days when the fronts are absent, the sun is shining, and the thermometer gets up into the mid 70’s, can make for some awesome fishing! January is another month that you should keep an eye on your tide chart before planning your day on the water. We have some extremely low tides around both the Full ... Read More »

from The Enthusiast Newsletter by local John Scott There is no question that one of the cardinal points of successful living is paying attention to the details of any undertaking; and no better lesson can be offered in the art and science of paying attention to those pesky little details than the story of our perfect evening on Keewaydin Island that unfortunately extended late into the night. We anchored in a little over two feet of water just a short distance from the beach. Keewaydin Island is a little used paradise that can only be reached by water. It is ... Read More »

LADY ANGLER’S CORNER Capt. Mary Fink islandgirls123@yahoo.com In the mangrove maze of South Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands, fish are plentiful. The key to productive fishing, however, often depends upon your ability to find the fish and to use the existing environmental conditions to your advantage. Among these conditions are factors like water temperature, depth, wind direction and strength, tidal exchange, moon phase and structure. This author believes that, of these factors, tidal exchange and the presence of structure are most important, as structure provides habitat and tidal movement provides forage or food for fish, especially during an incoming tide. Structure ... Read More »

FOLLOW THE FISH Capt. Pete Rapps Pete@CaptainRapps.com What’s better than a warm fresh homemade pot of locally caught seafood soup on a cool winter’s day? Head on down to the local grocer or farmer’s market and pick up just about everything you need for this quick and easy recipe. You can substitute the Tripletail fish with and firm locally caught fish fillet like Redfish, Grouper, Cobia, Snapper, etc. It will take you just 30 minutes from start to finish. Serve with some warm fresh bread or biscuits and butter. INGREDIENTS: • 1/2 lb Ditalini or any small pasta • 3 Cloves ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom natalie@coastalbreezenews.com British Petroleum was recently found guilty by the U.S. Supreme Court on 11 felony counts of misconduct or neglect pertaining to the Deepwater Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. Over the next six years, BP is expected to pay an additional $4.5 billion dollars, on top of what the company has already paid towards the massive oil spill disaster. The British oil giant seems to be wasting no time doling out the federally mandated money; on November 7, Marco Island, Naples and Collier County were awarded grants totaling $1,313,650. The three government entities ... Read More »

By Danielle Dodder Vital input and citizen perspective often come to city managers via the nine committees that advise, and sometimes help create policy. The Planning Board, for example, makes key recommendations on growth and development, and was tasked alongside the Waterways Advisory Committee to develop a workable solution on seawall construction standards. Post-election, the city is seeking 56 volunteers for all nine committees, all of which will be completely re-sat, with the exception of the Code Board, at the January 7th city council meeting. “We are encouraging the residents at large to apply,” says Nancy Richie, the city staffer ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom natalie@coastalbreezenews.com For more than 40 years, the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 95 has been offering boating education programs on Marco Island. Its mission is simple: “contribute to the safety and security of our citizens, ports, and waterways.” It’s motto is direct: Semper Paratus – Always Ready. Through its education programs, Flotilla 95 is ensuring that all local boaters are informed and prepared. Recently wrapping its first round of courses, Flotilla 95 has set its eyes on the New Year as it prepares for the 2013. Below is a list of classes and their descriptions. Sign ... Read More »

BUZZ FROM THE SWAMP Patricia Huff mulletrapper@gmail.com In the Glades, we begin the month of December with the ever-popular Pancake Fly-In. On Saturday, December 1, Wings 10,000 Islands will host a pancake breakfast at the Everglades Airpark from 10:00 AM. until noon. Everyone is welcome! For information, phone Chuck at (239) 695-3296. The following evening Dr. Roger Hammer, author of Everglades Wildflowers and other books, will be the featured speaker at the Friends of Fakahatchee Dinner/Talk on Sunday, December 2, at the Everglades Seafood Depot. Tickets for the delicious roast beef buffet are $30 for members and $40 for guests. For ... Read More »

Celebrate the holiday season dining with the best waterside view of the Marco Island Boat Parade The lights, the palm trees, the waterways. Celebrate the holiday season with the best waterside view of the 25th annual Marco Island Boat Parade while dining at the Marco Island Yacht Club’s Harbor Dining Room. Today, MIYC Membership Director Lisa Luft announced the Club will host an Open House, Saturday, December 8 from 5 pm until 9 pm, inviting the public to tour the facilities, watch the holiday flotilla and enjoy a buffet dinner at $34.95 for adults and $14.95 for children immediately following the ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom natalie@coastalbreezenews.com Dreamlander Eco-Adventure Tours of Marco Island recently carried out the ancient tradition of the “Blessing of the Fleet.” Expanding its paddle board and kayak operation to include wave runners and boat tours, the paddle – and now power – friendly company is doing things right, starting with The Blessing. The Blessing of the Fleet is a centuries-old tradition originating in southern European fishing communities. The Blessing is used to ask for the safety of mariners, good harvest from the sea, clean waters and good will and peace among peoples of the world. Launching its “Dolphin and ... Read More »

FOLLOW THE FISH Capt. Pete Rapps Pete@CaptainRapps.com As fall turns into winter here in the 10,000 Islands, we are presented with some daily challenges and obstacles that require more thought and planning prior to starting your day of fishing. One aspect of planning your day can be accomplished far in advance and that is determining your tides. Tide charts are available spreading out years in advance. Here I will explain tides in layman’s terms to help keep it simple for those new to tide prediction. There are more technical explanations on the Internet that can be found with a simple Google ... Read More »

LADY ANGLER’S CORNER Capt. Mary Fink islandgirls123@yahoo.com Whether you are a beginner or an experienced lady angler, one of the most important decisions you should make before setting out for a day of fishing is that of tackle selection. Fishing tackle can be defined quite simply as: a rod, a compatible reel, fishing line, hooks, lures and possible live bait selection. This author recommends light tackle for most types of fishing for both novice and experienced anglers. Light salt water tackle would include a reel with a line capacity and strength in the 8-15 pound range and a rod that ... Read More »

BUZZ FROM THE SWAMP Patricia Huff mulletrapper@gmail.com The holidays are approaching and more events are being planned in the Swamp. Big Cypress Gallery is hosting its “Annual Holiday Book Signing” with Clyde Butcher on Friday, November 23, and Saturday, November 24. Clyde’s books make great holiday gifts, especially with a special note from Clyde. For more information call (239) 695-2428. The Everglades Society for Historical Preservation will host its first program of the season on Friday, November 30, at 5:30 PM in the Everglades Community Church annex. Marco Island historian Betsy Perdichizzi will present “Pioneering Medicine in the Marco Wilderness” based ... Read More »